Seven ways monitoring software improves Google Workspace classrooms

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K-12 schools have been using Google apps in the classroom for twenty years. It began with Google sites and Gmail, then adoption of Google Classroom, Chromebooks, and finally Google Workspace for Education. Over 150 million learners and educators use Google Workspace for Education to collaborate in real time and simplify workflows. It’s helped learners build skills they’ll need in the workforce and learn anywhere, whether they’re in the classroom or joining their class remotely. 

There are some challenges that come along with Chromebooks and Google Drive. Because learners are still developing skills like self-regulation and focus, it’s easy for them to get off task. They might chat in Docs or in the file comments, find unblocked Google games or use AI to solve math problems. Plus, they’re pros at quickly tab switching back on task when their teacher walks by. All of this is tough for any educator to stay on top of, especially when they can’t see every screen at once.

These challenges are why classroom monitoring software was created. The goal isn’t to add on more screen time just because your school has Chromebooks. The goal is to make screen time and learning more effective. Hāpara gives teachers real-time visibility into learners’ Chrome browsers, along with the ability to guide browsing, give personalized support and save a lot of time. Here are seven ways Hāpara’s classroom management tools keep learners focused and safe in Google Workspace classrooms.

1. Guided browsing keeps screen time focused on instruction

Many states and school boards are pulling back on screen time in the classroom. While districts throughout the country currently have different perspectives and guidelines, most are still allowing learners to use technology to some degree. 

When learners are on devices, the goal isn’t to just set a timer on the number of minutes and close devices once they reach the screen time limit. The quality of their screen time is what truly matters, and the goal is to provide an engaging, tailored learning experience. As EdWeek reported, not all screen time is equal. When learners use technology meaningfully, they continue to build essential 21st-century skills like collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and innovation. 

Hāpara helps educators keep Chromebook screen time focused on instruction with Guided Browsing. They can limit learners’ browsing to a set of websites for the lesson to keep them engaged with class activities. Or they can block distracting websites or sites learners aren’t allowed to access like AI sites during an exam.

Educators can personalize learners’ browsing guidelines, too, creating sessions for an individual learner, a group of learners with specific needs or the class. That makes screen time truly intentional because learning is personalized for each student.

2. Teachers see Google Drive progress from one dashboard

When I was a middle school ELA teacher, I had piles and piles of paper files, assignments and essays hanging around at any given moment. Google Drive rescued a lot of educators by digitizing all those files and assignments. It freed up literal classroom space (and kitchen tables), and educators could access Google Drive from anywhere. 

Combing through those digital files still takes time, though. What if there was an easier way? Hāpara gives educators a birds-eye view of all of their learners’ recent files. They can hover over a file to instantly check progress or open a file with a click. 

They no longer have to dig into their class Google Drive and search for individual files. Not only does this save a lot of time, but educators can also quickly check if learners are using Google Docs appropriately and if they’re on task. If they need some extra support or a reminder, educators can discreetly send a message with Hāpara without calling the learner out in front of their classmates.

3. Teachers can find any student Google Drive file in seconds

“I can’t find my file.” “You didn’t share the assignment with me.” Educators hear this a lot from learners who accidentally misplaced or deleted a Google Drive file. 

Hāpara has a handy Drive feature that allows educators to search for any student file. They can search by keyword or narrow down their search by filtering categories. For example, a good starting place is the “Deleted documents.” By selecting that category, they can see deleted files, by learner, across the class in one dashboard. It’s a fast way to help learners find files and get back to their class assignment.

The Drive feature in Hāpara also lets educators check in on how learners are sharing their document. They can check to see if learners have shared their file with someone outside their school, which could mean they’re chatting off task with someone or even sharing private information that could put them at risk. If they’re not making safe digital choices, the educator can message the learner in Hāpara or have follow-up with a conversation about digital citizenship.

4. Teachers can push class content to every student device instantly

During digital learning, a lot of class time can be wasted simply trying to get students to the right website. Younger learners especially struggle with typing URLs. With Hāpara’s classroom monitoring software, educators can push out website links to open directly on learners’ Chromebook screens. Because Hāpara also syncs with Google Classroom, educators can also push out Google Classroom materials, questions and assignments.

On top of that, educators can also share Google Drive Files directly from Hāpara. With just a couple of clicks, they can share files they’ve already created or quickly create a new file to share out. 

5. Real-time feedback keeps learners engaged and on track

Because educators can quickly see and open learners’ Drive files in one dashboard, Hāpara cuts back on the time it takes to give formative feedback. Students need formative feedback so they have a clear understanding of gaps in their learning, improvements to make and areas they need to deepen. 

It’s an essential part of learning, but without a tool like Hāpara, educators don’t always have time to give formative feedback across the class. 

Hāpara makes it really simple for educators to access files and assignments, so educators can actually provide the feedback learners need.

6. Differentiation and personalization in Google Workspace is easier and more flexible

Hāpara’s classroom monitoring software doesn’t just keep students on track during screen time. It also helps educators support all the unique learning needs around their classroom. Students come to class with different abilities, learning styles, digital citizenship knowledge and executive functioning skills. 

Educators can support all of those learning needs using Hāpara, with dynamic student grouping. This feature is more powerful and flexible than any other classroom management solution. 

Here is what sets Hāpara apart when it comes to differentiating instruction and personalizing learning:

• Create any number of student groups without limitation
• Place learners in any number of groups (for example, a learner could be in a reading intervention group, a math acceleration group and a browsing group that blocks distracting math games)
• Flexibly move learners in and out of groups at any moment
• Create guided browsing sessions for groups or individual learners
• Open website links directly onto the screens of student groups or an individual learner’s screen
• Share Google Drive files with student groups or a learner
• Chat 1:1 to give support to a learner
• Send an announcement to a group or a learner

7. Google Workspace integration simplifies your tech stack

Educators don’t need another tool that’s disconnected from what they’re already using. They need a tool that will integrate with their current setup, save them time and make their job easier. Because Hāpara is built to work alongside Google Workspace for Education, it supports the apps and tools educators and learners already use.

Hāpara helps educators manage student Chrome browsing, Drive files and Google Classroom content all from one place. 

Here is how Hāpara integrates with Google Workspace:

• Search any student’s Google Drive from one dashboard
• Get direct visibility into learners’ recent Drive files
• Sync automatically with Google Classroom
• Push out Google Classroom materials, assignments and questions
• Share Google Drive files directly with the class, a group or an individual learner

Frequently Asked Questions

Which student safety software integrates well with Google Workspace?
Hāpara is built specifically for Google Workspace for Education, integrating with the tools educators and learners already use. It connects directly with Google Drive and Google Classroom, giving educators visibility into learners’ Drive files and browsing activity from one dashboard. 

How do Chrome-based student activity monitoring tools impact classroom management?
Chrome-based monitoring tools like Hāpara give educators real-time visibility into what learners are doing on their Chromebooks. This makes classroom management during screen time less complicated. Instead of walking around the room trying to catch off-task tabs, educators can see learners’ screens from one dashboard, record student browsing, guide learners to the right websites and block distractions. This keeps screen time focused on instruction and frees educators up to spend more time teaching and supporting students.

Why do schools struggle with classroom screen monitoring software?
Most screen monitoring software does not give educators direct visibility and access to student Google Drives. This makes it a challenge for educators to stay on top of what learners are doing in their docs and files. Hāpara is the only classroom management software that gives educators visibility of student Drive files from one dashboard. With Hāpara, educators can see learning progress in Drive files, quickly give formative feedback, instantly share Drive files and search for misplaced student files. Educators can do all this while also guiding learners’ browsing on Chromebooks and differentiating instruction.

Why is classroom browser monitoring software important for student online safety?
Learners are still developing the self-regulation skills they need to navigate the internet safely and use Google Drive files appropriately. Classroom browser monitoring software helps educators keep learners safe by giving them visibility into browsing activity and the ability to block harmful or off-task sites. With Hāpara, educators can guide browsing during lessons and quickly see how learners are using and sharing their Google Drive files.